Shooting Board and Plane

I have been watching guys using shooting boards with end results close to perfect.I decided it was time to have a shooting board for myself.I rebuilt an old Sargent #5 that I did not use much anymore.The most important thing for this transformation was an angled tote. Changing the tote was really pretty straight forward. I first made a regular new tote out of Bloodwood, I then made a transition to angle the tote out of hard maple.I must admit I am a little disappointed, I do not seem to find myself using it very often.I must say however it does do what it is supposed to do and that is true up end grain very well.

Well thanks much for looking and comments do encourage me to post things more often.

Todd Swartwood's Projects

Everyone's Projects

Project tags/keywords

15 comments so far

Board looks good! I use my 60 1/2 on a small board which I will replace with a bigger one some day.I find the low angle works much better on end grains.You are right, unless you make a lot of picture frames a shooting board usually isn’t on the bench all day!

I’ve watched videos of shooting boards being used but wondered how does the plane not plane the shooting board (if that makes sense)? Is it just the little section solid section of mouth/throat with no blade? Seems like Tom Fridgen uses his after every saw cut.

I ve watched videos of shooting boards being used but wondered how does the plane not plane the shooting board (if that makes sense)? Is it just the little section solid section of mouth/throat with no blade? Seems like Tom Fridgen uses his after every saw cut.

- hotbyte

You are correct, here is a good graphic from an article on Derek Cohen’s website.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the shooting plane is riding on and referencing off of the side, not the sole any more. That little lip now becomes just a stop and you have to be conscious of not tipping the plane into the cut. The side and sole on a plane used for shooting need to be exactly perpendicular because of this.

When working with hand tools, a handsaw or miter box & saw is used to get a board close to the final dimension and pretty square, then the shooting board is used to finish it off precisely. If you are cutting crosscuts and miters by hand, a shooting board and plane are essential.

-- In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.

He is a fellow LJ member and there are a lot of good articles on his site. One of the things I really like is that Derek explains why he does things a certain way, not just how. Makes it easier to apply principles across to other projects.

-- In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.

Hi Guys:rad457, The only plane I own that is low angle is a number of block planes. I have no problem with the plane cutting end grain, the plane needs to have a good sharp iron.

hotbyte, JayT’s diagram is on the money, it is just that little section keeps it working.

Mark, thanks for jumping in and helping with the details.

Hey Joe, your just having to much fun with the lathe right now.

Mads, Thanks for taking the time for a short comment.

JayT, thanks for the diagram, that picture was worth a lot of words. And you are quite right about cleaning up hand saw cuts. Thanks for your comments.

Jim, I actually put the threaded rod into the plane, and then by using the modified tote bent the rod to the right angle. I then put the tote over the rod and tightened down the brass tote nut. I did have to drill the hole through the tote a little bigger than usual. Thanks for the positive comments.

Wayne, Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Sawdust, Thanks for trying to explain, but I actually made the tote and then glued the transition to the bottom of tote. I then completed contouring until it fit the plane and my eye. I then drilled vertically up through the transitionabout 3/4” and the turned the tote over and drilled at the angle to intersect with the vertical hole.

sepeck, thanks for taking the time to comment.

Thanks to all for your kind words.Have a blessed evening, and having fun making dust, Todd